Methods to Enhance Selenium in Wheat through Biofortification: A Review

Abstract

The micronutrient selenium (Se) is an important trace and building block element for humans as well as for other mammals. It is ubiquitous in soil but its supply to plants is limited due to its insoluble form high-iron, low-pH and leached soil. Thus, it leads limited supply of micronutrients from plant to animal and then to human consumer and in low concentration in regard to standard health requirements. Such type of flow causes deficiency of Se and enhances different types of diseases threats such as; cancer, heart diseases, many inflammatory conditions, thyroid dysfunction. Billion individuals are affected by Se deficiency worldwide. It demands the question of discovery different types of strategies to enhance the Se intake. The most common cereal crop is wheat which is used as staple food in many countries. The major cause of Se deficiency is Intake of low-Se based wheat. Enhancement of Se in wheat through biofortification methods seems a good strategies for enhancement of Se in wheat and overcome the Se deficiency in plants and ultimately in human and other mammals. In this study, we reviewed different strategies that can be used to improve the Se contents in wheat through biofortification.